A20756:248
The conflict between the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The…The conflict betvveene the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The…
The conflict between the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The Christian warfare wherein is described the nature of these combatants, the malice and power of the flesh and fleshly lusts, with the means whereby we may subdue and overcome them. By John Downame Bachelor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word.The conflict betvveene the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The Christian warfare wherein is described the nature of these combatants, the malice and power of the flesh and fleshly lusts, with the meanes whereby we may subdue and ouercome them. By Iohn Dovvname Batchelar in Diuinitie, and preacher of Gods Word.
London: printed by William Jones, 1618London: printed by William Iones, 1618
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1Now having showed the nature of our enemy, how dangerous he is, and how we may be armed and prepared to withstand his assaults and obtain the victory; we are to entreat of the combat and conflict it self. And first we will show, that there is in the faithful such a combat and conflict indeed and trueth, although worldly and carnal men who never found it in themselves are ready to think it to be but a mere conceit. The which will appear by plain testimonies ⟨p. 166⟩of Scripture, for the Apostle telleth us, that the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh, and that these are contrary the one to the other, so that we cannot do the things we would. Where by flesh and spirit (as I have proved) we cannot understand the body and soul but the part 2regenerate and unregenerate, the corruption of nature and the quality of holiness in every faculty and power of them both. So in his own example he showeth the practic and experience of this trueth in the seventh chapter of the Romans, for he professeth that he could not do the good he 3would nor leave undone the evil he would not, that he was delighted in the law of God in the inner man, but at the same time found another law in his members rebelling and making war against the law of his mind, and bringing him into captivity to the law of sin which was in his members; and plainly saith that when he was thus led captive unto sin, it was no more he that did it, but the sin, that is, the sinful corruption that dwelled in him.
1NOw hauing shewed the nature of our enemie, how daungerous he is, and how wee may bee armed and prepared to withstand his assaults and obtaine the victory; we are to intreate of the combate and conflict it selfe. And first we will shew, that there is in the faithfull such a combate and conflict indeede and trueth, although worldly and carnall men who neuer found it in themselues are ready to thinke it to bee but a meere conceipt. The which will appeare by plaine testimonies ⟨p. 166⟩